MENA Newswire News Desk: United Airlines has announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide free Wi-Fi on all its flights through Starlink, the company’s satellite internet service. The agreement will equip more than 1,000 United planes with high-speed Wi-Fi, making it the largest airline to adopt Starlink technology. The rollout is expected to begin next year, with full implementation across the fleet in the coming years.
United’s CEO, Scott Kirby, said in a statement, “Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world.” He highlighted that the move aligns with United’s ongoing focus on innovation and improving passenger experiences. United will follow Delta Air Lines, which introduced free in-flight Wi-Fi in February 2023, initially for domestic flights, and recently expanded to international routes.
Smaller carriers such as Hawaiian Airlines and AirBaltic have also adopted Starlink, bringing high-speed internet to travelers at no cost. Currently, United charges between $8 to $10 for Wi-Fi access, but the new service will allow passengers to connect multiple devices free of charge. The service is expected to significantly enhance in-flight entertainment, with passengers able to stream movies, access social media, and shop online. United’s Chief Customer Officer, Linda Jojo, compared the experience to using a cable modem at home, noting that Starlink offers low latency and higher speeds compared to existing in-flight Wi-Fi options.
However, the implementation process will take time as the Federal Aviation Administration and aircraft manufacturers need to approve the necessary hardware. The Starlink system uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, which provide faster and more reliable connections than traditional geostationary satellites. Airline analyst Seth Miller emphasized the demand for better connectivity in the skies, stating, “The bandwidth required for in-flight internet is growing, just like on the ground. Starlink meets this demand with lower latency and better speed.”
In addition to enhancing the passenger experience, United noted that the new internet capabilities will also benefit frontline workers such as pilots and flight attendants. Starlink’s technology will enable these employees to access real-time information and communication tools while in the air, improving overall operational efficiency. This partnership is seen as a win for SpaceX, which has signed agreements with smaller airlines but has yet to secure a deal of this scale with a major carrier like United.
SpaceX’s President and COO Gwynne Shotwell expressed enthusiasm for the deal, saying, “With Starlink onboard United, passengers will have access to the world’s most advanced high-speed internet from gate to gate.” The deal marks a significant step in the growing competition among airlines to offer better in-flight Wi-Fi, with many seeing it as a key selling point for attracting customers.